Cars 3 - 2017

Movie Info

Rating: G

Age-appropriateness: some intense car crash scenes

Overview: Lightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he's still the best race car in the world. Lightning McQueen is the “old guy” who works through diminishing abilities while the next generation takes his place. Through his mutual mentorship with a friend, he considers what his legacy will be as his life changes.

Themes: cars, technology, work ethic, mentorship, change, motivation, legacy, racing, humility

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Mentorship. Do you have a mentor? Who is someone that is really good at something that you could ask to teach you?

Lightning and Cruz had a mentoring relationship with one another. Mentorship is the guidance provided by a more experienced person. Lightning has way more experience racing, but Cruz had more expertise with the new technology. They were able to help each other and both became better racers because of their mutual mentorship.

2. Motivation. What is something negative in your life right now? Can you think of any way to use that as positive energy and motivation to improve your life?

Throughout the movie, Cruz Ramirez tells Lightning he can “use anything negative as fuel to push through to the positive.” Motivation is “the reasons for acting a certain way”.

3. Humility. How did Cruz feel when she got in the final race? What do you think you’ll be feeling when you get into heaven?

Everyone was telling Cruz what she was (a trainer) and what she wasn’t (a racer). So Lightning gave up his spot in an act of humility to give her what she always wanted, letting her race in his place. Jesus left his place in heaven so that we might get access to heaven one day. He “left the race” and took our place on the cross so that we could “enter the race”. Because Jesus humbled himself, sacrificing his very life on the cross, dying for our sins, we now can be forgiven and given access to heaven!

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Jackson Storm and the next-gen, high tech cars used the latest technology to go as fast as possible and win races. What’s your favorite thing about new technology? What’s a new invention, that your parents didn’t have when they were kids, that you love the most?

Check out this article on How to Talk to Your Kids About Technology/Screen Time.

2. With all of the new up and coming cars, Lightning McQueen, Cal Weather, and other older racers had to realize that they wouldn’t be around forever. All of us have limited time that we'll get top spend on Earth, but we can look forward to living forever with Jesus in heaven! When you think about the short time that we have on Earth, how does that make you feel? What does that make you want to do?

3. Throughout the movie, Cruz Ramirez tells Lightning he can “use anything negative as fuel to push through to the positive.” Motivation is “the reasons for acting a certain way”. What is something negative in your life right now? Can you think of any way to use that as positive energy and motivation to improve your life?

4. Lightning and Cruz had a mentoring relationship with one another. Mentorship is the guidance provided by a more experienced person. Lightning has way more experience racing, but Cruz had more expertise with the new technology. They were able to help each other and both became better racers because of their mutual mentorship. Do you have a mentor? Who is someone that is really good at something that you could ask to teach you?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:06 Jackson Storm’s introduction. Jackson is a rookie and doesn’t exactly respect his elders. He should be honoring the race cars that have paved the way for him. Instead, he taunts them with arrogance. Exodus 20:12 says, "“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Do you show respect to the people in your life that are older than you? Do you honor your parents?

:13 Lightning McQueen tries so hard that his car crashes. He shows a lot of work ethic here. Lightning was giving his very best effort. Do you often try your best at the things you try to do? How often do you have a great work ethic?

:17 Sally encouraged Lightning to not be afraid of failure. She recommended he make changes in order not to be forced out of racing. Do you fear failing? Does it ever keep you from trying or from changing your approach?

:24 Dusty and Rusty sold their business in order to help out Lightning by building a new, state-of-the-art racing training center. Their actions were very selfless and thoughtful. Jesus constantly encouraged his followers to think of other people before themselves. Philippians 2:4 says, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." How can you look to the interests of others? What’s something nice you can do today to help someone else?

:37 Lightning and Sterling talk about Lightning’s legacy. A legacy is the memory and impact you make on other people when you’re gone. What do you want people to remember you for? When people hear your name, what do you want them to think of?

:53 Cruz never thought she could race and Lightning never thought he couldn’t. Lightning had a lot of confidence whereas Cruz didn’t believe in herself. Which one do you relate more to?

1:07 Racing wasn’t the best part of Doc Hudson’s life, Lightning was. The most important things in life aren’t our job or our things. It’s always people. God says the two most important things we should do in our life is love God and love people. Is anything else getting in the way of you loving God and loving people?

1:22 Everyone was telling Cruz what she was (a trainer) and what she wasn’t (a racer). So Lightning gave up his spot in an act of humility to give her what she always wanted, letting her race in his place. Jesus left his place in heaven so that we might get access to heaven one day. He “left the race” and took our place on the cross so that we could “enter the race”. Because Jesus humbled himself, sacrificing his very life on the cross, dying for our sins, we now can be forgiven and given access to heaven! How did Cruz feel when she got in the race? What do you think you’ll be feeling when you get into heaven?